QUESTION: when will we have an alternative to injections for wet AMD? (updated 1/25/2021)
ANSWER: For those with wet AMD/CNV, having injections can be an issue, especially the thought of the first one! I get this question often: when will there be eye drops instead?
Eye drops are being tested in the lab (called preclinical trials) on rats and also on larger animals. They have to do that before they do research on humans (called clinical trials). Then the clinical trials have to go through phases before they’re available to eye professionals. Bottom line: I haven’t seen any estimate of when that would be. Sorry.
Researchers are closer to being able to put more time between injections. One technique is to put a teeny, tiny implant in the eye that they fill and refill with anti-VEGF medication. It’s called the Port Deliver System (PDS).
Finally, here’s an article I wrote ‘Have Wet AMD and Hoping for Something Other Than Injections?’
The good news is that it’s hard to keep up with all the research! We’re doing our best to keep you updated.